Genesis 41:40

40 I will put you in charge of my palace. All the people will obey your orders, and only I will be greater than you."

Genesis 41:40 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 41:40

Thou shall be over my house
, Have the care of his domestic affairs, and be the principal man in his palace and court: and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled;
not only in his family, but in his whole kingdom; whatever he ordered and commanded them to do, they should it, or "all my people shall kiss" F19, that is, either their hand at the sight of him, or meeting him, in token of respect and veneration shall yield a ready and cheerful obedience to him, of which the kiss was a sign, see ( Psalms 2:12 ) . The Targum of Onkelos renders it, "shall be fed" F20, supplied with corn, and with all necessary provisions, and so Jarchi interprets it; which is restraining it to that part of his office which concerned the gathering and laying up their stores for time to come; but the Targum of Jonathan is, "shall be armed" F21; and so Aben Ezra makes him the prince or general of the army, or who had the militia at his command, and could arm them when he pleased; but it seems to denote a more large and unlimited power than either of these, even the government of the whole land under the king, who only excepts himself: only in the throne will I be greater than thou;
that is, he alone would be king, wear the crown sit upon the throne, and have all the ensigns of royal majesty, in which Joseph was to have no share; otherwise he was to have an executive power and authority over all his subjects in the land, even to bind his princes at pleasure, and to teach, instruct, and direct his senators, ( Psalms 105:21 Psalms 105:22 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F19 (qvy) "osculabitur", Montanus, Junius, & Tremellius, Piscator, Schmidt.
F20 Cibabitur, Fagius; "cibum capiet", Tigurine version.
F21 Armabitur, Pagninus, Munster, Drusius, Cartwright; so Kimchi.

Genesis 41:40 In-Context

38 And the king asked them, "Can we find a better man than Joseph to take this job? God's spirit is truly in him!"
39 So the king said to Joseph, "God has shown you all this. There is no one as wise and understanding as you are, so
40 I will put you in charge of my palace. All the people will obey your orders, and only I will be greater than you."
41 Then the king said to Joseph, "Look! I have put you in charge of all the land of Egypt."
42 Then the king took off from his own finger his ring with the royal seal on it, and he put it on Joseph's finger. He gave Joseph fine linen clothes to wear, and he put a gold chain around Joseph's neck.
Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.